Can Altay
Adnan Coker
Nejad Melih Devrim
Burhan Dogancay
Renee Levi
Ahmet Oran
Mubin Orhon
Abdurrahmen Otzoprak
Seckin Pirim
Arslan Sukan
Canan Tolon
Seyhun Topuz
Omer Uluc
Ebru Uygun
Ekrem Yalcindag
Fahrelnissa Zeid
Max Bill
Fritz Glarner
Camille Graeser
Hans Hinterreiter
Verena Loewensberg
Richard Paul Lohse
Dorothea Strauss
Abstract, concrete and conceptual Turkish art from the late 1940s to the present day. The exhibition is subdivided into 5 different sections and each individual section functions autonomously; paintings, drawings, sculptures, videos, installations and environments are to be presented.
curator Dorothea Strauss
HOT SPOT ISTANBUL at Museum Haus Konstruktiv is the first comprehensive exhibition of Turkish
abstract, concrete and conceptual art in Switzerland, with works from over sixty years. The project's
starting point is the development of Turkish abstract concrete painting since the end of the 1940s and the
impact that it has had on a young generation of artists who are active all around the world in a broad
network. For this reason, the exhibition also includes numerous artists who live and work in Turkey and in
other places simultaneously or live only in other places or live even no more in Turkey. The exhibition will
be accompanied by three publications.
For some years, a very special, energetic and lively art scene has been establishing itself in Turkey, especially in
Istanbul. This divided city on the Bosporus offers the ideal platform for creative forces.
Between tradition and innovation, a scene has developed which is intoxicating, in the very best sense of the word.
It is drawing an ever-increasing number of young artists to Istanbul from other Turkish cities. New galleries are
appearing and new art spaces can be discovered everywhere. Istanbul is the place where a lot of what brings the
present in its wake today just seems to happen in a highly condensed manner. Hot spot Istanbul!
Museum Haus Konstruktiv has set itself the goal of bringing Istanbul's vitality to Zurich, focusing on Turkish art
history, as well as contemporary art, on the basis of selected examples. This exhibition project is based on close
cooperation with artists, collections and private individuals who provided the museum with substantial support for
the realization of this exhibition project.
HOT SPOT ISTANBUL is subdivided into five different sections and each individual section functions
autonomously, but when observed in context, the relationships between them will make the link from art history to
the present day clear. Paintings, drawings, sculptures, videos, installations and environments are to be presented.
Via individual presentations of current and historical artists alike, as well as via themed exhibitions on the various
floors, historical developments become comprehensible. The effects of these developments come into contact with
movements such as concrete and geometric art, minimal art and conceptual art. The subtle gray areas between
representational, abstract and concrete approaches are also to be explored, along with an examination of the
"isms" of art history. At the same time, we wish to draw attention to the fact that, with their works, artists are
frequently able to anticipate things, thus bypassing the linear timeline.
What will be on display: At the interface between sculpture and environment, the artist Can Altay (*1975) shall
develop a walk-through course for the large entrance hall on the first floor, which will present works from the late
1940s to the present day, e.g. by Adnan Çoker (*1927), Nejad Melih Devrim (1923-1995), Burhan Doğançay (1929-
2013), Renée Levi (*1960), Ahmet Oran (*1957), Mübin Orhon (1924-1981), Abdurrahmen Ötzoprak (1927-2011),
Seckin Pirim (*1977), Arslan Sükan (*1973), Canan Tolon (*1955), Seyhun Topuz (*1942), Ömer Uluç (1931-2010),
Ebru Uygun (*1974), Ekrem Yalçındağ (*1964) and Fahrelnissa Zeid (1901-1991). As if it were the DNA of the
whole exhibition, this course in the entrance hall provides a broad and informative inventory.
And as special guests from the Museum Collection: 6 works by the «Zurich Concretists»
Max Bill (1908-1994), Fritz Glarner (1899-1972), Camille Graeser (1892-1980), Hans Hinterreiter (1902-1989),
Verena Loewensberg (1912-1986), Richard Paul Lohse (1902-1988).
On the second floor and in the smaller hall on the fourth floor, two solo exhibitions are being realized by Ebru
Uygun (*1974) and Ekrem Yalçındağ (*1964). In the large columned hall on the fourth floor, we want to address
conceptual art, with artists such as Serhat Kiraz (*1954), Renée Levi (*1960), Ahmet Öktem (*1951), Sarkis
(*1938), Nejat Satı (1982), Arslan Sükan (*1973) and Erdem Taşdelen (*1985).
In the cabinets on the fifth floor, we round off the exhibition with a solo presentation on each of four historically
significant artists: Nejad Melih Devrim (1923-1995), Mübin Orhon (1924-1981), Ömer Uluç (1931-2010) and
Fahrelnissa Zeid (1901-1991). These are important pioneers of post-1945 Turkish art.
Image: Ekrem Yalçındağ, Impressions from the Streets, Detail, 2010, oil on canvas, 200 x 200 cm
Press contact:
Esther Quetting +41 44 2177098 e.quetting@hauskonstruktiv.ch
Opening 5 June 2013, 6pm
Museum Haus Konstruktiv
Selnaustrasse 25, 8001 Zürich
Hours:
Mo closed
Tu 11–17h
We 11–20h
Th / Fr / Sa / Su 11–17h
Adults: CHF 14.00
children/students/pensioners/disabled persons with ID: CHF 10.00
School Children aged 7–16: CHF 5.00
Group Admition (10 visitors or more): CHF 10.00 per visitor
Children under 7 free Members/donors free Owner ZurichCARD free